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New Howard University graduates not only received their diplomas Saturday, but hand sanitizers, too.

University officials said they distributed hand sanitizer to graduates and guests because of their concern over swine flu. Some graduates said they were advised to shake hands at their own risk.

The city’s health department has reported six probable cases of swine flu, including a Howard student who has fully recovered. Four confirmed cases of swine flu have been confirmed, city officials said.

JFK’s sister set for Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery is installing a painting of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of the Special Olympics and a champion of the rights of the mentally disabled. She is a sister of President John F. Kennedy.

The portrait is the first commissioned by the museum of someone who has not served as president or first lady. It will be installed Saturday during a ceremony with Mrs. Shriver and her family.

The painting is by David Lenz, the father of a Special Olympics athlete. He depicts Mrs. Shriver, 87, on the sand near her Cape Cod, Mass., home with five other people: four Special Olympics athletes and the other in the Best Buddies program, which Mrs. Shriver helps to lead.

MARYLAND

POTOMAC

Rescue crew saves kayaker in river

Montgomery County fire and rescue officials said they pulled a man from the Potomac River after he was separated from his kayak.

Fire department spokesman Pete Piringer said witnesses called authorities about 4:15 p.m. Saturday after seeing two boaters struggling in the water.

He said the men were separated from their kayaks at Mather Gorge, about a quarter-mile south of Great Falls. Mr. Piringer said one man made it to shore. The other was clinging to rocks.

Authorities rescued the man, who Mr. Piringer said was taken to a hospital with injuries that are not life-threatening.

He said a U.S. Park Police helicopter assisted the county’s Swift Water Rescue Team in the rescue operation.

FORESTVILLE

Woman’s body found near football field

The body of a 19-year-old woman was discovered by a passer-by about 6:30 a.m. Sunday near the football field of Forestville Military Academy, Prince George’s County police said. The school is in the 7000 block of Beltz Drive.

Authorities identified the woman late Sunday afternoon as Valicia Demery, 19, of District Heights.

Cpl. Clinton Copeland said the body was found on the outer portion of the track circling the football field. He said Miss Demery had trauma to her upper body.

FREDERICK

Police probe two shootings

Three people were wounded in late-night shootings, Frederick police said.

All three were wounded in the second shooting, which occurred about 1:50 a.m. Saturday in the first block of West Sixth Street, police. One victim was found at the scene, and two others sought treatment at Frederick Memorial Hospital.

No injuries were reported in the first shooting shortly before midnight. Police said they do not know whether the two shootings are related.

VIRGINIA

NORFOLK

Two fatalities in Sunday shooting

Norfolk police said gunfire shortly after midnight Saturday left two people dead and a third in the hospital. All of the victims are males.

Officer Chris Amos said two of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene. The third was taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital and was in stable condition.

The victims’ names and ages were not immediately released.

No arrests had been made.

STAFFORD

Couple convicted of child abuse

A Stafford County jury convicted a mother and father of child abuse in a 2005 case.

Stafford Circuit Court officials said Brandi Blanken Wallace, 28, faces more than seven years in prison. A jury recommended that her husband, Joshua Wallace, 33, serve nearly three years. They will be sentenced in July.

Their son was 10 weeks old in late 2005 when he was flown to a hospital with a broken clavicle, severe retinal hemorrhaging and skull fractures. The parents had claimed that Brandi Wallace dropped the infant during an epileptic seizure.

During a three-day trial, doctors testified that those injuries could not have occurred during such a fall.

According to evidence, the boy now has permanent brain damage, cannot walk and eats through a feeding tube.

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